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News18
10-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
Explained: What Is Pakistan-Based Al Qaeda's Brigade 313 And Why Is It Back In Focus?
Last Updated: Brigade 313: The group functions not as a single organisation but as a coalition of jihadists, including defectors from the Pakistani military and intelligence services. A recent question posed to former Pakistani envoy Sherry Rehman by a Sky News journalist reignited interest in Brigade 313, a shadowy terror unit operating under the umbrella of Al Qaeda. Sherry Rehman acknowledged the group's violent past as she referred to a 'digital dossier" saying, 'I don't know who told you this, but I can produce any number of pages saying all this." 'Most of the analysts you're quoting are aligned with India's narrative. They only tell India's story," she further said, rejecting claims about Brigade 313's Al Qaeda links. What Is Brigade 313? Brigade 313 is the operational arm of Lashkar al-Zil (Arabic for 'Shadow Army"), Al Qaeda's paramilitary wing. It functions not as a single organisation but as a coalition of jihadists, including defectors from the Pakistani military and intelligence services. While most active along the Afghan-Pakistani border, Brigade 313 has also outsourced attacks to proxy outfits such as The Resistance Front (TRF) and People's Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF). TRF was behind the April 2022 Pahalgam terror attack. Why Is It Called Brigade 313? The group's name refers to the 313 soldiers who, according to Islamic tradition, fought alongside Prophet Muhammad in the Battle of Badr. Brigade 313 draws its cadre from various banned militant outfits, including the Taliban, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami (HUJI), Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and Jundallah. The group was founded by Ilyas Kashmiri, a former Pakistani Special Services Group (SSG) commando turned jihadist. He was also a senior leader of HUJI and a key commander in Al Qaeda's military hierarchy. Ilyas Kashmiri was implicated in multiple terror plots across Pakistan, Afghanistan, India and even the United States, including the 2009 New York subway plot involving Najibullah Zazi and a plan to attack the Danish Jyllands-Posten newspaper. He was designated a global terrorist by the US and the United Nations before being reported killed in a US drone strike in 2011. After his death, leadership reportedly passed to a commander known as Shah Sahib. What Attacks Has Brigade 313 Been Linked To? Brigade 313 has executed or supported numerous high-profile attacks including: 2003: Attempted assassination of Pakistan's then-president Pervez Musharraf. 2008: Killing of Maj Gen Faisal Alvi, an SSG officer who threatened to expose links between the Taliban and Pakistan's military elite. 2009: Attack on Army General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, killing 17. 2009: Suicide bombing in Afghanistan's Khost province targeting US assets. 2011: Attack on Pakistani Naval Base in Karachi, killing 14 in retaliation for the death of Osama bin Laden. Is Brigade 313 Linked To Pakistan's Military And Intelligence Services? While Pakistan has officially distanced itself from the group, analysts say Brigade 313 continues to function discreetly while maintaining ideological loyalty to Al Qaeda. Location : Pakistan First Published:
NDTV
10-06-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
"What Is Brigade 313?" Pakistan Senator Sherry Rehman Admits Islamabad's Terror Past On Live TV
Islamabad: Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Vice President Sherry Rehman acknowledged that Islamabad's past is linked to terrorism while she dodged questions on al-Qaeda-linked Brigade 313. "You keep on talking about the past because it was," she told Sky News journalist Yalda Hakim in response to questions on Pakistan's record on harbouring extremist elements. "We are fighting terrorism. Pakistan is a changed country now." Ms Hakim, citing inputs from the Terrorism Research and Analysis Consortium (TRAC), said Brigade 313 was a Pakistan-based terror outfit tied to al-Qaeda with members from groups such as the Taliban, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, and Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami. "Brigade 313 is al-Qaeda in Pakistan," she said, referencing TRAC. "They are the leaders of a massive terrorist organisation that focuses on attacks in Kashmir," Ms Hakim said, adding the group was known to be a "hub for terrorism." She confronted Ms Hakim about the group, questioning her whether Pakistan should be held responsible for repeated attacks in India, particularly those linked to groups like Brigade 313. "Am I going to war every time there is an attack in India?" Ms Rehman visibly deflected. She added, "There are a hundred insurgencies running in India. Are we responsible for what goes on there?" The conversation also touched on Pakistan's inclusion on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list until 2022. Ms Hakim questioned whether individuals like Sajid Mir, one of the key plotters of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, played a role in delaying Pakistan's exit. Ms Rehman responded, "You're citing a long history of engaging with terrorism one way or the other, either fighting it or otherwise." 'Pakistan is fighting very hard to clean its terrorist record' Vice President of the Pakistan People's Party Senator Sherry Rehman tells @SkyYaldaHakim 'Pakistan is a changed country', even though they were taken off the grey list in 2022 — Sky News (@SkyNews) June 9, 2025 What Is Brigade 313? Formed in the early 2000s, Brigade 313 reportedly took its name from the 313 companions who fought alongside Prophet Muhammad at the Battle of Badr. It was led by Ilyas Kashmiri, a former Pakistani army-trained fighter who became one of al-Qaeda's most prominent commanders before his death in a 2011 US drone strike. The brigade is a hybrid coalition, drawing terrorists from Lashkar-e-Taiba, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami (HuJI), Jaish-e-Mohammed, and others. It operated under al-Qaeda's umbrella and frequently collaborated with Pakistan's Taliban factions. Authors describe it as one of al-Qaeda's most "dangerous and effective" formations in South Asia, staging high-profile actions such as assassinations of senior Pakistani officials, bombings across Pakistan, and plots connected to the Kashmir insurgency. Brigade 313 is often described as part of al-Qaeda's Lashkar al-Zil (the "Shadow Army"), and has been accused of carrying out high-profile terror attacks, including bombings, assassinations, and plots aimed at Kashmir. Earlier, Pakistan's Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, admitted to the country's complicity in supporting terror groups in the past. He said, "We have been doing this dirty work for the United States for about three decades, and the West, including Britain."
Express Tribune
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
'Divine help' credited for victory over India
Listen to article Referring to the recent conflict with India, responsible sources within the military leadership said on Thursday said that Pakistan had achieved a "historic victory" against its enemy with the "help of Allah Almighty", adding that the adversary no longer dares to take direct action against the country. The sources were speaking with senior journalists at the Presidency on the sidelines of a ceremony where Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir was formally presented with the Field Marshal Baton. When the military leadership sources were asked about those targeting innocent children in Balochistan, they said, "Even now, missiles are being fired at those responsible. Anyone who comes toward us will not be spared under any circumstances." On Wednesday, at least five people – including three schoolchildren – were martyred and several others injured in a suicide attack targeting a school bus in Khuzdar, Balochistan. The vehicle was rigged with more than 30 kilograms of explosives, according to the Bomb Disposal Squad. The ISPR added that India has unleashed its proxies to spread terror and unrest in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhawa through such heinous and cowardly acts after miserably failing on the battlefield. The sources cited the Battle of Badr as a spiritual and strategic parallel. "In the Battle of Badr, there were only 313 fighters. Allah had commanded that even a handful of dust thrown at the enemy would strike them like missilesit was Allah who caused the impact," the sources said. "In the same way," they continued, "in the recent war with India, divine support enabled Pakistan's success. Alhamdulillah, our action left the enemy with no response." The sources hailed the "exceptional unity" among Pakistan's civil, political and military leadership during the confrontation. "Such exceptional harmony is rarely seen. We are proud of this unity." Regarding the ceasefire between Pakistan and India, the officials noted that New Delhi did not communicate with Islamabad directly, adding that "all contact came through intermediaries". When asked why the operation was named Bunyanum Marsoos, sources explained that in briefings to the Field Marshal, air chief, and other officials, it was stated that Pakistani soldiers and fighter jets had stood like a formidable wall against the enemy. "Hence, the operation was named Bunyanum Marsoos, meaning 'a wall of molten lead.'" In response to a question on what precisely forced the enemy into agreeing to a ceasefire, the sources offered a brief reply: "We do not insult the enemy."
Express Tribune
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Asked why India sought truce? Military sources reply: ‘We don't humiliate enemy'
'We've achieved a historic victory against the enemy with the help of Allah Almighty. We've given the adversary such a response that it no longer dares to take direct action against Pakistan,' responsible sources within the military leadership said on Thursday. 'Though the enemy is still targeting our children through its proxies, even now they are being hit with missiles. They will not be spared under any circumstances,' the sources said while speaking with senior journalists at the Presidency on the sidelines of a ceremony where army chief General Asim Munir was formally handed the 'Field Marshal Baton'. 'In the Battle of Badr, there were 313 fighters under the leadership of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Allah had commanded that even if the number is small, it doesn't matter — gather a handful of dust or sand and throw it toward the enemy; it would strike them like missiles, because it was Allah who caused the impact,' the sources added. 'In the same way, in the recent war with India, there was divine support for Pakistan, which led to success. Alhamdulillah, we carried out such an action that the enemy had no answer,' the sources said. The military leadership sources also hailed the 'exceptional harmony between our civil, political, and military leadership, the likes of which is rarely seen. We are proud of this unity.' With regard to the ceasefire between Pakistan and India, the sources revealed that India did not speak to Pakistan directly; instead, indirect contact was made through intermediaries. When the military leadership sources were asked about those targeting innocent children in Balochistan, they said, 'Even now, missiles are being fired at those responsible. Anyone who comes toward us will not be spared.' When asked why the operation was named Bunyanum Marsoos, it was explained that in briefings to the field marshal, air chief, and other officials, it was said that Pakistani soldiers and fighter jets had stood like a formidable wall against the enemy. Therefore, the operation was named Bunyanum Marsoos, meaning 'a wall of molten lead.' Asked what exactly forced the enemy into agreeing to a ceasefire, the military leadership sources replied: 'We do not insult the enemy.'
Business Recorder
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Pakistan aims for economic glory after military victory over India: Tarar
LAHORE: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar credited the Pakistan armed forces for their bravery in a historic military victory over India and urged the nation to now focus on defeating the enemy on the economic front through collective efforts. Speaking at a large public gathering in his electoral constituency on Sunday, Tarar congratulated the people of Pakistan, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff General Hafiz Syed Asim Munir, and the armed forces for their triumph. He paid tribute to the Army, Air Force, and Navy, emphasizing their globally recognized valour. He recounted that following India's cowardly attack. "Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif authorized a decisive military response, resulting in a humiliating defeat for India on the battlefield. Concurrently, Pakistan's political leadership outmanoeuvred India diplomatically, exposing their aggression on international forums," he added. Highlighting historical parallels, he recalled Pakistan's six nuclear tests on May 28, 1998, under Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, which established the nation's strength. Similarly, on May 10, 2025, Pakistani forces shot down six Indian warplanes, avenging the 1971 war and reaffirming their superiority. Our civil and military leadership upheld the nation's honour, defeating India on all fronts, he maintained. The minister praised the Pakistani media and social media activists for countering Indian propaganda and exposing their falsehoods. He also paid homage to the civilian and military martyrs, noting the sacrifices of brave mothers who send their sons to defend the nation. 'No force can defeat a nation ready to sacrifice with shrouds on their heads,' Tarar said, drawing inspiration from the Battle of Badr, where divine support led to victory despite numerical odds. He criticized India's rejection of a fair investigation into the Pahalgam incident, which led to their night time attack on Pakistani civilians. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, he noted, effectively highlighted India's aggression globally, contributing to their diplomatic isolation. The minister also lauded Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) workers for their role in shaping the narrative on social media, noting that India's public is now questioning their government and media amid national mourning. Reiterating Pakistan's commitment to peace, the minister warned that India mistook this for weakness, a miscalculation corrected by the armed forces' decisive response. He expressed gratitude to allied nations, including China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran, the UAE, and Azerbaijan, for their support during the conflict. The event, addressed earlier by Tarar's mother, Sajida Tarar, concluded with a massive PML-N rally led by the minister to express solidarity with the armed forces.
